The duo explained series two through the words “Woman,” “Hound” and “Fall” – references to the detective’s female nemesis Irene Adler, the Hounds of Baskerville and Sherlock’s descent into public disgrace (and subsequent leap from a rooftop). Fans were expecting similarly serious themes to be unveiled today but following Gatiss’s tweet they can presumably look forward to three episodes in which the detective lounges around the flat smoking, before getting an early night….

“Off to Edinburgh for #Sherlock event at the TV festival. I’m revealing the ‘three words’ for S3 early. Pipe. Slippers. Bed. There you go,” tweeted Gatiss.

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And that, we suppose, is case closed – unless Moffat is able to persuade Gatiss between now and 3:30pm that three slightly more exciting words might be in order…